Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following the meeting with the Prime Minister and the Premiers, the Prime Minister indicated, in response to a question in House of Commons, that he was aware that per capita funding is simply not acceptable or workable. It does not quite do the job in relation to the three territories. Therefore, we're looking at a different arrangement, in that no meetings would be arranged in the future. We understood that to mean that he's accepted that, per capita, as he proposed in the federal accord, was simply not acceptable and that he was not prepared to come up with a different arrangement. It has been suggested by the Premiers and by the Romanow Commission that the territories need more than per capita, and what we have proposed is a special fund set aside, above and beyond the money that was allocated and to be allocated on a per capita basis; that we would set up, through a special allocation from the federal government, a health fund that would see approximately $20 million to $25 million base funding per year on top of the per capita that we would get, which you know is about roughly $4 million to $5 million for the Northwest Territories. It is the letter's way to indicate to the Prime Minister, that we are waiting to hear some suggestions on how this issue is going to be resolved and we appreciate his indication that he is prepared to meet with us to resolve it and that it is not a matter that can be delegated to Anne McLellan or the Minister of Finance, John Manley. It is a matter to be dealt with by the Prime Minister and the Premiers of the three northern territories. We want to indicate that we are looking for a resolution to it on a timely basis that can make us all look like we are looking out for one of the most fundamental needs of all Canadians, that is a good health care system. Thank you.
Stephen Kakfwi on Question 4-14(6): Federal Health Care Funding For Northern Territories
In the Legislative Assembly on February 12th, 2003. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 4-14(6): Federal Health Care Funding For Northern Territories
Question 4-14(6): Federal Health Care Funding For Northern Territories
Item 6: Oral Questions
February 11th, 2003
Page 29
See context to find out what was said next.